"An infinitude of Possible Worlds": towards a research method for hypertext fiction

While the investigation of creative writing as a research method is gathering apace, little work has been done into the specific case of hypertext fiction (fiction written through a digital medium). This paper argues that, while there remain certain similarities between paper-based and digital texts...

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Main Author: Jordan, Spencer
Format: Article
Published: Taylor & Francis 2014
Subjects:
Online Access:https://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/32231/
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author Jordan, Spencer
author_facet Jordan, Spencer
author_sort Jordan, Spencer
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description While the investigation of creative writing as a research method is gathering apace, little work has been done into the specific case of hypertext fiction (fiction written through a digital medium). This paper argues that, while there remain certain similarities between paper-based and digital texts, fundamental differences in design and construction remain. If hypertext fictions are to be successfully understood, then the role and purpose of the digital writer needs to be more fully analysed as part of the creative process. This paper argues that Possible Worlds Theory offers a way forward. With its focus on the ontological structures created by hypertext fiction, Possible World Theory actively embraces narrative indeterminacy and ontological changeability. In this sense the method provides a structured means by which the creative manipulation of the unique affordances of a digital medium by a writer can be theorised.
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spelling nottingham-322312020-05-04T16:54:02Z https://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/32231/ "An infinitude of Possible Worlds": towards a research method for hypertext fiction Jordan, Spencer While the investigation of creative writing as a research method is gathering apace, little work has been done into the specific case of hypertext fiction (fiction written through a digital medium). This paper argues that, while there remain certain similarities between paper-based and digital texts, fundamental differences in design and construction remain. If hypertext fictions are to be successfully understood, then the role and purpose of the digital writer needs to be more fully analysed as part of the creative process. This paper argues that Possible Worlds Theory offers a way forward. With its focus on the ontological structures created by hypertext fiction, Possible World Theory actively embraces narrative indeterminacy and ontological changeability. In this sense the method provides a structured means by which the creative manipulation of the unique affordances of a digital medium by a writer can be theorised. Taylor & Francis 2014-09-15 Article PeerReviewed Jordan, Spencer (2014) "An infinitude of Possible Worlds": towards a research method for hypertext fiction. New Writing, 11 (3). pp. 324-334. ISSN 1479-0726 Hypertext digital fiction research method interactivity http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/14790726.2014.932390 doi:10.1080/14790726.2014.932390 doi:10.1080/14790726.2014.932390
spellingShingle Hypertext
digital
fiction
research
method
interactivity
Jordan, Spencer
"An infinitude of Possible Worlds": towards a research method for hypertext fiction
title "An infinitude of Possible Worlds": towards a research method for hypertext fiction
title_full "An infinitude of Possible Worlds": towards a research method for hypertext fiction
title_fullStr "An infinitude of Possible Worlds": towards a research method for hypertext fiction
title_full_unstemmed "An infinitude of Possible Worlds": towards a research method for hypertext fiction
title_short "An infinitude of Possible Worlds": towards a research method for hypertext fiction
title_sort "an infinitude of possible worlds": towards a research method for hypertext fiction
topic Hypertext
digital
fiction
research
method
interactivity
url https://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/32231/
https://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/32231/
https://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/32231/